The Vital Spark - Appointment In Arezzo

Episode

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

20180101

20180102 (R4)

A colourful portrait of one of the twentieth century's great writers. When journalist Alan Taylor travelled to the Italian town of Arezzo to interview Muriel Spark, it was the beginning of a friendship which would last for years. On regular visits to her Italian villa and on trips accompanying the author to literary festivals across Europe Taylor gained a unique insight into the character of this fascinating artist.

Abridged by Laurence Wareing

Read by Paul Higgins

Alan Taylor's memoir of his friendship with the writer Muriel Spark. Read by Paul Higgins.

20180102

20180103 (R4)

After striking up a friendship with his subject, journalist Alan Taylor meets Muriel Spark's Tuscan social circle and tackles head-on rumours about the author and her long term companion, sculptor Penelope Jardine.

When Alan Taylor travelled to the Italian town of Arezzo to interview Muriel Spark, it was the beginning of a friendship which would last for years. Accompanying the author as she visited literary festivals across Europe and rediscovered old haunts in New York, Taylor gained a unique insight into the character of this fascinating artist.

This vibrant portrait of one of the twentieth century's great writers was abridged by Laurence Wareing and is read by Paul Higgins.

Journalist Alan Taylor tackles rumours about author Muriel Spark's domestic arrangements.

20180103

20180104 (R4)

Journalist Alan Taylor accompanies his friend Muriel Spark on her triumphant return to America. Invited to attend the 75th birthday celebrations of the New Yorker Magazine, an early publisher of her work, the author's memories turn to life in 1960s New York.

This vibrant portrait of one of the twentieth century's great writers was abridged by Laurence Wareing and is read by Paul Higgins.

Alan Taylor accompanies author Muriel Spark on her triumphant return to New York.

20180104

20180105 (R4)

Age catches up with author Muriel Spark as relations with her son reach breaking point.

Abriged by Laurence Wareing

Read by Paul Higgins

05 LAST

20180105

20180106 (R4)

After Muriel Spark's triumphant return to her hometown for the Edinburgh Book Festival, Alan Taylor reflects on his friendship with the peerless writer.

When journalist Alan Taylor travelled to the Italian town of Arezzo to interview Muriel Spark, it was the beginning of a friendship which would last for years. On regular visits to her Italian villa and on trips accompanying the author to literary festivals across Europe Taylor gained a unique insight into the character of this fascinating artist.

Abridged by Laurence Wareing

Read by Paul Higgins

Journalist Alan Taylor reflects on his friendship with the writer Muriel Spark.

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	20180101	20180102 (R4)	A colourful portrait of one of the twentieth century's great writers. When journalist Alan Taylor travelled to the Italian town of Arezzo to interview Muriel Spark, it was the beginning of a friendship which would last for years. On regular visits to her Italian villa and on trips accompanying the author to literary festivals across Europe Taylor gained a unique insight into the character of this fascinating artist. Abridged by Laurence Wareing Read by Paul Higgins Alan Taylor's memoir of his friendship with the writer Muriel Spark. Read by Paul Higgins.
02	20180102	20180103 (R4)	After striking up a friendship with his subject, journalist Alan Taylor meets Muriel Spark's Tuscan social circle and tackles head-on rumours about the author and her long term companion, sculptor Penelope Jardine. When Alan Taylor travelled to the Italian town of Arezzo to interview Muriel Spark, it was the beginning of a friendship which would last for years. Accompanying the author as she visited literary festivals across Europe and rediscovered old haunts in New York, Taylor gained a unique insight into the character of this fascinating artist. This vibrant portrait of one of the twentieth century's great writers was abridged by Laurence Wareing and is read by Paul Higgins. Journalist Alan Taylor tackles rumours about author Muriel Spark's domestic arrangements.
03	20180103	20180104 (R4)	Journalist Alan Taylor accompanies his friend Muriel Spark on her triumphant return to America. Invited to attend the 75th birthday celebrations of the New Yorker Magazine, an early publisher of her work, the author's memories turn to life in 1960s New York. When Alan Taylor travelled to the Italian town of Arezzo to interview Muriel Spark, it was the beginning of a friendship which would last for years. Accompanying the author as she visited literary festivals across Europe and rediscovered old haunts in New York, Taylor gained a unique insight into the character of this fascinating artist. This vibrant portrait of one of the twentieth century's great writers was abridged by Laurence Wareing and is read by Paul Higgins. Alan Taylor accompanies author Muriel Spark on her triumphant return to New York.
04	20180104	20180105 (R4)	Age catches up with author Muriel Spark as relations with her son reach breaking point. A colourful portrait of one of the twentieth century's great writers. When journalist Alan Taylor travelled to the Italian town of Arezzo to interview Muriel Spark, it was the beginning of a friendship which would last for years. On regular visits to her Italian villa and on trips accompanying the author to literary festivals across Europe Taylor gained a unique insight into the character of this fascinating artist. Abriged by Laurence Wareing Read by Paul Higgins
05 LAST	20180105	20180106 (R4)	After Muriel Spark's triumphant return to her hometown for the Edinburgh Book Festival, Alan Taylor reflects on his friendship with the peerless writer. When journalist Alan Taylor travelled to the Italian town of Arezzo to interview Muriel Spark, it was the beginning of a friendship which would last for years. On regular visits to her Italian villa and on trips accompanying the author to literary festivals across Europe Taylor gained a unique insight into the character of this fascinating artist. Abridged by Laurence Wareing Read by Paul Higgins Journalist Alan Taylor reflects on his friendship with the writer Muriel Spark.